Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-25
The new police regulations are creditable to the

The new police regulations are creditable to the
District Commissioners and viii be beneficial to
the District. They put In clearer and more con-
venient shape some ordinances already existing
but separated and half hid in the chaotic mass of
District law, and add new regulations, approved
by the experience OF modern municipal corpora
tions. Legislation OF any kind for Washington
which tends to give it some OF the modern I'M
proyements In municipal regulation, and TO put It
upon an equal footing in such respects with other
cities OF the last quarter Of the nineteenth cen
tury, Is rare. The Commissioners seem 10 have
exercised the restricted power Of quasi-legslation
concerning certain subjects delegated specially to
them by Congress, with discretion. The citizens
OF the District viii be grateful for this beginning
In the systematic regulation OF the District accord
ing 70 modern ideas, and will expect the new
police regulations TO be merely the fOrerunner OF q
comprehensive code which shall give the District
the latest and best statutory law, and finally quiet
the perturbed spirits or ancient laws which yex
us with the CHASTITY uncertainty as to whether
they are alive or dead The new regulations, OF
which the substance was printed in yesterdays
STAR, touch upon many subjects OF local interest.
They present the law upon number OF matters
concerning which complaint has been made in the
columns OF The STAR, in such shape as TO promise
remedy. Provisions TO prevent the aecumula-
ton OF debris In the streets and public places
including prohibition against scattering hand
other animals in the streets; to suppress the
bowling dog, the Growing cock, and the cackling
hen; ami 10 protect pedestrians from vehicles and
the obstruction OF steam cars or engines at cross
ings, and from the noiSeie,s, rapid bicycle both
by night and day, may De noted among the num-
Der.
The additional regulations need only vigorous
enforcement to add new charm TO life In Wash
ington and to contribute largely TO the comfort
and welfare OF the community. It Is not TO be sup
posed that the new rules cover everything, nor
that they are absolutely perfect so far as they co.
but they form an admirable beginning, and can
easily be extended or amended as circumstances
demand But as they stand now all that would
seem TO be needed Is the vigtlant and determined
action OF the police authorities backed up by the
moral and material support OF It's tax-pay1ng and
law-abiding people 10 make the national capital
the most attractive and best governed city In the
country, as it should be- Properly construed, the
new rules Will not work a real hardship in any
case, sweeping as they may seem. They may dis
turb for time the ideas Of right and liberty en-
tertained by few persons who have hitherto pur-
sued somewhat predatory careers regardless OF
the rights and welfare Of Others, but they are
framed In the interests OF society generally, and
should be accepted and carried out accordingly.
The good results intended can easily be attained If
the police authorities take hold OF the subject with
viii in the start, and If all good citizens VIII, as
they should, constitute themselves for the time
being aids and assistants to the officers In their
efforts 10 carry the new code into effect, and thus
secure condition Of peace and order hitherto un-
known here.